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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Old lady names

107 replies

Namesheardinthewild · 28/10/2025 21:35

Not pregnant, just wanting to expand horizons. I love ‘old lady’ names and wondered if anyone had any to add? So far I love:

Agatha
Enid
Violet
Mabel
Elizabeth (although I think this is more classic than old lady)
Joyce
Jane

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aaaheatedblanket · 11/01/2026 11:07

I love Jean and Jeannie

mathanxiety · 13/12/2025 16:05

Nancy
Kay
Rita
Dinah
Joan
Flora
Betty
Noelle
Barbara
Pauline
Patricia
Doreen
Maureen
Noreen
Noeleen
Elaine

HoppityBun · 13/12/2025 12:39

Ada
Betty (Elizabeth)
Clarice
Doris
Deidre
Enid
Frances - Fanny, go on, I dare you
Gertrude
Georgina
Hermione
Jacqueline
Lavinia
Martha
Mary
Norma
Priscilla
Wilhelmina

user1492757084 · 13/12/2025 12:24

Wilma
Edna
Martha
Olga
Verna
Desma
Lorna

Larymarylary · 13/12/2025 09:45

My MIL is called Gladys. She absolutely hates it. My grandma was called Henrietta, which I love.

Wheelz46 · 13/12/2025 09:43

Alot of these names being thrown out will be women who are now in their 40s and 50s, not exactly 'old lady'!

NewGirlInTown · 01/11/2025 04:43

Love Margaret or Marguerite.
Also Cecily or Cicely.

lydialucy · 01/11/2025 04:00

Brenda
Maureen
Patricia
Enid
Doreen
Audrey

CeciliaMars · 31/10/2025 15:55

I love Daphne and Marigold!

Katiesaidthat · 31/10/2025 15:38

goingtotown · 30/10/2025 22:43

Maud Ethel Rita Gertrude Fanny Marlene Winnifred Mavis Vera Gloria Marjorie Phylis Enid
Dora Harriet Iris Beatrice Gladys Dorothy Queenie Cynthia Sybil Mary Enid Ivy Prudence

My gran and her sisters were: Dorothy, Kathleen, Joan, Vera, Phyllis and Molly. Her best friends were Winnie, Elaine and Joyce

WorthySloth · 31/10/2025 15:36

Thelma

Katiesaidthat · 31/10/2025 15:35

ResusciAnnie · 28/10/2025 22:23

Old ladies nowadays are more like:

Susan
Marie
Barbara
Patricia
Sandra
Judith
Pamela
Caroline

My mum and her friends/cousins. She´s 80 now.

caringcarer · 31/10/2025 00:34

Olive
Agatha
Ada
Gertrude
Margaret
Dorcas
Maud
Alice
Vera
Joan
Ena
Beverly

Sudename · 30/10/2025 23:32

Kay
Kathleen
Adeline
Margaret
Margy
Peggy
Phyllis
Philomena
Noreen
Breda
Brenda
Marion
Maura
Nora

ZaZathecat · 30/10/2025 23:00

Muriel
Maureen
Doreen
Sheila
Joyce
Phyllis
Lettice
Pamela
Millicent

goingtotown · 30/10/2025 22:43

Maud Ethel Rita Gertrude Fanny Marlene Winnifred Mavis Vera Gloria Marjorie Phylis Enid
Dora Harriet Iris Beatrice Gladys Dorothy Queenie Cynthia Sybil Mary Enid Ivy Prudence

cheapskatemum · 30/10/2025 22:19

Beulah

itsallabitofamystery · 30/10/2025 22:17

My Nan is a Joyce, 2 daughters one called Elizabeth. My other is called Ruby, and when I named her that, a few people commented that it was an old lady name. Didn’t get that with Elizabeth.

RaininSummer · 30/10/2025 22:14

Bertha and Gladys

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/10/2025 22:13

I think “J” names will make a comeback at some point, probably as the diminutive versions of classics - e.g.

Jenny
Judy
Jane / Janie
Jilly
Joan /Joni
June / Juni

I could just imagine a baby Jenny or Judy - gorgeous!

Lunde · 30/10/2025 21:45

WingBingo · 29/10/2025 13:26

Beryl. Everyone always forgets about Beryl. I think it’s a fabulous name.

also, I think a baby Stella or Sally would be quite cool.

A comeback for the gemstone names of the early 1900s
Coral
Pearl
Opal
Ruby
Sapphire
Emerald
Diamond

Although Amber and Jade are already popular

Timeforatincture · 30/10/2025 18:47

Tralalalama · 28/10/2025 21:55

Susan, Shirley, Diane, Janet, Dawn, Denise

These are ladies in their mid to late 60s. Not really old ladies!

TheLivelyRose · 30/10/2025 18:39

Some of these are bizarre. I know a 24 year old Kitty. Why on earth is that an old lady name.

Such a horrible way to describe it.Old lady names.

Lemonadepie · 30/10/2025 15:35

I know a young Rosemary

AgentPidge · 30/10/2025 11:39

I love Maud and Tabitha (not sure if that counts!)